First Senate bill in new session will protect U.S. interests in Middle East
The Republican Jewish Coalition applauds the introduction of the first Senate bill of the 116th Congress, the “Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019” (S.1). It was introduced yesterday by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), James Risch (R-ID), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
RJC National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman said: “Last year, the congressional clock ran out without final action on four bills that gained widespread support and are vital to US interests in the Middle East. This important bill brings them together for expedited consideration in the new Congress.”
The “Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019” would: codify the 10-year Memorandum of Understanding on US military assistance to Israel, extend war reserve stockpile authority and authorize the transfer of defense articles to Israel in time of need; reauthorize US defense cooperation with Jordan; impose new sanctions on entities providing financing to the Syrian government while protecting humanitarian efforts to help Syrian civilians; and authorize state or local governments in the US to adopt and enforce measures against entities engaged in commerce- or investment-related BDS activity. — From the Republican Jewish Coalition
*
Rep. Susan Davis introduces election reform bills in Congress
Emphasizing the importance of election reform, Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) introduced her signature election reform bills as the 116th Congress convened. Davis re-introduced legislation to expand vote by mail opportunities and restore integrity to our election process.
“With many states curtailing voting rights, it’s time for the federal government to exercise its constitutional responsibility and ensure Americans’ access to the ballot box,” said Rep. Davis. “My bills would end arbitrary roadblocks to absentee voting and ensure those running our elections are free from conflict of interest. We have a responsibility to protect and strengthen our democracy for current and future generations.”
The Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act would end restrictions many states impose on a person’s ability to vote by mail, such as requiring a doctor’s note, the details of a religious obligation, latest pregnancy status or details of a vacation destination. Currently, 21 states restrict an eligible voters’ ability to vote by mail.
The Federal Election Integrity Act would prohibit a chief election official of a state from serving on federal campaign committees or engaging in other political activity on behalf of federal candidates in any election over which that official has supervisory authority.
The first major piece of legislation House Democrats plan to bring to the floor is the For the People Act (H.R. 1) – which will include Davis’s election bills. H.R 1, which Davis is cosponsoring, will also strengthen campaign finance and ethics laws which are priorities for Davis as well. — From Rep. Susan Davis
*
Israeli NGO sends emergency workers to the Philippines in wake of flooding and landslides
IsraAID Philippines, the Israeli humanitarian aid NGO’s local branch, will deploy an emergency response team to the area worst-affected by Tropical Depression Usman. The storm brought heavy rains and subsequent landslides causing severe flooding and infrastructural damage. Reportedly, at least 122 are dead and 28 missing following the storm, which made landfall on December 29, 2018. According to local authorities, more than 75 thousand families and close to 305 thousand individuals were affected, with many evacuated from their homes and living in temporary shelters. Local media reported that because the storm was not categorized as a typhoon, residents failed to take the necessary precautions, exacerbating the damage.
The emergency response team, made up of Israeli and Filipino staff members and volunteers from IsraAID Philippines, will conduct a rapid needs assessment, distribute urgently-needed relief items, improve access to safe water, and offer psychological support to the affected population. The team is on its way to the Sagñay municipality in the Camarines Sur province, one of the worst hit areas.
In September 2018, IsraAID teams responded to Typhoon Mangkhut (known locally as Ompong) providing psychosocial support and relief items after close to 100 people were killed due the storm. IsraAID first deployed a team to the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, which caused over 6,000 fatalities and affected more than 16 million people. IsraAID has since remained on the ground, establishing IsraAID Philippines based in Leyte. Over the last five years programs have included providing emergency medical care, reconstruction support, livelihood rehabilitation through agriculture, and mental health and psychosocial support.
After the initial emergency phase, IsraAID transitions to long-term programming, aimed at accompanying communities on the journey to a sustainable recovery. In the Philippines, IsraAID’s team is currently providing psychological support training to teachers, police officers and other service providers, empowering low-income women to gain a livelihood through beekeeping, building regional emergency response teams from national, trained volunteers, and training service providers to combat Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence. — From IsraAID
*
Doctor threatens to give Jews, whom she hates, the wrong medications
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) said Friday it is calling on the state of Ohio – in conjunction with The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) – to revoke the medical license for a medical resident whose anti-Semitic rants and threats against Jews include her saying, “Allah will kill the Jews,” called Jewish people dogs, and is “brutally unsympathetic” about the Holocaust. Islamist physician Lara Kollab, a first-year resident at the Cleveland Clinic, actually publicly stated that she wanted to “purposely give all the [derogatory term for Jews] the wrong meds.”
“This behavior is abhorrent and dangerous,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. “The issue is: should a doctor who makes threats about giving Jews the wrong medication with the intent to cause harm to be entitled to practice medicine? The answer is no. The medical license should be permanently revoked. Threats to cause harm must never be tolerated in any setting – including the medical field.”
In her tweets, Dr. Kollab referred to Jewish people as dogs, downplayed the Holocaust and said she was “brutally unsympathetic” about it, and threatened to give Jewish patients the wrong medication. Dr. Kollab has de-activated or deleted all her social media accounts after her tweets went viral.
The Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit academic medical center, took immediate action by firing her and issued a statement that denounced Dr. Kollab’s hateful comments: “We fully embrace diversity, inclusion and a culture of safety and respect across our entire health system.”
In a formal complaint to the Ohio State Board of Medical Examiners, the ACLJ notes that Dr. Kollab’s “statements and intentions go far beyond the realms of free speech. Allowing her near any patients could literally jeopardize lives. Dr. Kollab is obviously unfit to practice medicine.”
The ACLJ argues it’s not surprising anti-Semites like Dr. Kollab think they can threaten Jewish people without reprisal, when the U.N. is funding an anti-Israel slush fund, and refused to condemn terrorist attacks on Israel. Further, Dr. Kollab is a proud supporter of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement, further exposing BDS for what it is – thinly veiled anti-Semitism.
*
Preceding items culled from news releases. Please send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com